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Jimmy Downing - A Tribute

Thursday, 03 May 2012 07:28

It is with great sadness that our club heard of the sudden passing away last weekend of Jim Downing of Urhan, Beara and Cork fame. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Jim was without doubt one of Urhan's legends and one of the greatest players to ever grace us with his outstanding talents. A quiet and modest man, he was as loved as he was respected. Off and on the field, he was and will remain an inspiration to us all.

Jimmy made his debut in Urhan’s team in 1961 as an Under-16 playing Senior Football Championship with the team and helping them to the 1961 Kelleher Shield title. He was to develop into a player of extraordinary talents, a centre-fielder blessed with superb hands, height, strength and beautiful kicking ability. The following year Urhan reached the Kelleher Shield final, again with Jim aboard. 1963 brought Cork minor football honours as Jim played corner-back and a first Munster Final appearance. The following year Cork, with Jim now in the centrefield berth that he would forever be associated with, won the Munster Minor Final and reached the All-Ireland, sadly losing to Offaly, while on the home front Urhan won the Tadhg Crowley Cup.

1965 brought a progression to the next Cork stage, with Jimmy beginning a three-year stint for the County Under-21’s, lining out at centre-field in the team that won Munster and reached an All-Ireland against Kildare before suffering disappointment. Cork Junior honours followed in ’66 with another Munster title and a ‘Home’ All-Ireland win, though Cork lost to London thereafter.

In 1967 Jim would help to bring untold joy to his club and division. Not only did Urhan win the Intermediate Football Championship and regain Senior status, but Beara would go on to win the Cork Senior Championship as well. Jimmy, needless to say, was instrumental in both. Still an Under-21, was now playing for Cork Seniors too, winning a Munster title and coming off the bench in the All-Ireland Final defeat to Meath.

He would go on to play Senior Football Championship and National League football for Cork until 1970. Thereafter, his skills continued to grace the fields of the county. Jimmy captained Urhan to the ’71 Beara League and won Beara Championship honours in ’73.

In a remarkable career as a footballer, Jimmy played with and against many of the very greatest the game has produced, and stood tall with all. He will be remembered within our club and throughout the GAA world for as long as the game is played.

Our sincere and heartfelt condolonces go to Jim's family and many, many friends and to all who loved him.